Carrying case



F. FREIMANN CARRYING CASE Filed Aug. 18, 1954 A M 0 4 p Y W 2 a I M ATTORNEY.-

Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims. (01. 312-8) The present invention relates to sound reproducing and picture projecting apparatus and more particularly to a novel arrangement of parts and a'c'arrying case therefor, bymeans'of which the apparatus may be conveniently transported'from one place to another.

-An object of the invention is to provide a carrying case for acomblned sound reproducing and picture projecting apparatus which is compact and novel in construction.

.Another object of the invention is to provide a carrying case for a sound reproducing apparatuswhich, when opened, will permit a free operation of the apparatus and, when closed, hold' the parts thereof out of cooperating relation and against movement in a protected position.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a carrying case for sound reproducing apparatus of the type having a pivotally mounted sound reproducing tone arm, means which will firmly hold the tone arm against movement in an inoperative position when the case is closed.

For a better understanding of the invention reference shouldbe had to the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown, by way of illustration and not of limitation, a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing apparatus in a carrying case of the type contemplated by this invention with the case fully opened and with the apparatus in an operative position,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the carrying case closed over the sound reproducing apparatus and with its lantern supporting panel open, and

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the carryingcase with its cover and lantern supporting panel partly closed.

As illustrated in the drawing, the present invention is embodied in a new and novel carrying case for transporting a combined sound reproducing and picture projecting apparatus which may be quickly set up for operation in a simple 5' and convenient manner. A feature of the carrying case is that, when closed, it will hold the .several elements of the unit in a protected manner so that they will not become damaged or renderjed inoperative when transported from one place to another.

deep cover I2 hinged at its other end so as to close over the top of the housing l0. Disposed across the top of the housing l0, there is a'panel l3 which supports a tone arm carrying pedestal l4 and a sound record support; The sound record support comprises an upwardly projecting'vertically disposed shaft l5 having a sound record 5 supporting platen i6 thereupon. A tone arm I1 is pivotally mounted upon the pedestal ii in cooperatingrelatlon with the sound record supporting platen It. At the end of the tone arm I! there is an'electromagnetic pick-up device l8 10 having a needle which is adapted to engage and reproduce sound from a disc type of record, designated by the numeral I8. I

Electrically connected with the electromagnetic pick-up device is is a thermionic tube amplifier 15 20 for amplifying thesound currents generated, thereby and connected with the output of the amplifier 20 is an electrodynamic loud speaker 2|. The loud speaker 2| is mounted over a sound opening which is preferably formed in one of 20 the sides of the housing Ill, so that the sound emanating therefrom will be directed toward the audience when the apparatus is set up at one side of a room, as would be the case where it is to be used for the instruction and/or amusement of 25 a small audience. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, the opening in the side wall of the housing I0 is covered with a protecting grill 22. The platen supporting shaft l5.-is driven by an electric motor mechanism 30 23 which is secured to the underside of the panel, ii. A controlling lever 24, by means of which the speedof the shaft l5 may be determined, projects upwardly through the panel I; and is dispwed at a point adjacent the'periphery of the record sup- 5 porting platen l6, where it can be conveniently moved to control the speed of the sound record. Adjacent the lever 24 there is also a knob 25 for controlling the tonal output of the amplifier 20.

The amplifier 20, the electrodynamic loud 40 speaker 2|, and the motor mechanism 23 are adapted to be operated from an ordinaryhouse current outlet and, therefore, the apparatus is Provided with a suitable lead (not shown) which carries a service outlet plug. Associated with 45 this lead and mounted upon the panel i3, there is a toggle switch 26, by means of which the current supply may be shut oil! and turned on without pulling the plug from its supply outlet.

In addition to the above described sound rteproducing apparatus, the housing I0 is adapted to i also support a picture projecting apparatus. As shown in the drawing, this apparatus comprises a picture projecting lantern 21 having a lens sys- 55 tem 28, a picture film support 29 and an advanc ing mechanism 30.

The picture projecting apparatus is mounted upon the inside of the panel I I so that when it is I closed this apparatus will be concealed within the housing l0. To,provide for a variation in'the angle of projection and to determine the elevation at which the picture is to be reproduced, upon a wall or screen, the panel H is provided with an adjustable bracket 3! which may be secured by a thumb screw 32 to hold the panel H without supporting reels, the film being rolled up in a free coil which can be inserted in the film support 29. In operation the film passes through the lens system 28 and after it is used itcan be rolled up by hand and placed in a suitable container. Two of these containers, designated by the numeral 33, are shown as fixed to the inside of the cover i2.

In order that the film may progress freely through the advancing mechanism 30, it is threaded through a slot 3d formed in the hinged panel ii. The projection of the film through the slot 36 permits it to hang free of the apparatus where it can not become entangled therewith or coil up in front of, the lens system 28 and interfere with the projection of subsequent pictures.

Should the record l9 relate to a. lecture or a sales talk; which is to be illustrated by pictures arranged in a proper sequence upon the picture film, it is intended that the record-will be provided with a sound signal which will indicate when the picture film is to be advanced. In practice it has been found that a musical note interspersed with the spoken program maybe resorted to for this purpose.

Instead of the still picture projecting apparatus, described above, the panel l i may be provided with a moving picture projecting machine. In this latter event it will be possible to reproduce synchronized action pictures and sound by starting the picture film and sound record at the proper synchronizing points.

When the hinged panel II is in its closed position, the weight of the picture projecting apparatus secured thereupon will operate, because of its weight, to hold the panel l I in its closed position. However, forfsafety the panel H has a spring pressed bolt 35 which will engage the top of the opening when the panel I I is closed.- With this latter described arrangement, it will be seen that the picture projecting apparatus can be placed in. an operative position by merely opening the hinged panel II and adjusting it for the proper angle of projection by tightening the thumb screw 32 upon the bracket 3! The patentable aspects of the picture projecting features of this disclosure are fully described and claimed in my co-pending application entitled Carrying-case for picture projecting apparatus, Serial Number 31,632, filed July 16, 1935.

As shown, the sound record supporting platen is is of a larger diameterthan the width of the housing l0. For compactness, the sound record supporting platen i6 is made so that it can be removed from the shaft l5 and placed, together with one or *more records, in a vertical compartment 36 provided at one side of the housing l0. After the sound record supporting platen I6 has been placed in the compartment 36 the cover l2 can' be closed upon the housing I 0. When the sound record supporting platen I6 is thus removed from the shaft [5 some means must be provided for securing the tone arm ll andthe pick-up device I8 against movement and in a position where they will not become damaged due to rough handling in transporting the apparatus from one place to another. This is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by providing a hinged clevis 31 which will engage a rearwardly projecting end 38 of the tone arm l1 and holdthe pick-up device 3 in an elevated position.

As shown in the drawing, the clevis 31 has an overhanging portion 39 which will engage a pin Ml upon the overhanging end of the tone arm ll.

With this arrangement the tone arm 11 will be held against any swinging movement about its supporting pedestal id. Secured against the inside of the cover I2 at a point where it will engage the pick-up device l8, there is a pad ii of felt or spdnge rubber.

As shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, when the 2 the platen l9 when the latter is disposed in the carrying compartment 36, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawing.

After the cover l2 has been closed over the tone arm H, as above described, it is secured in its closed position by two oppositely placed spring clasps Q2. The cover i2 also has a'suitable grip or handle 43 at the top thereof, by means of -which the carrying case may be easily handled.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose my invention so' that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated aspecific device and arrangement, I desire to have it understood that this invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and it is desired to claim it so that all changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a device of'the character described, the combination of an apparatus containing case, a sound record driving mechanism mounted within said case, a tone arm support upon said case, a tone arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon said support and in cooperating relation with saidsound record driving mechanism, a sound record pick-up. device upon one end of said arm, a cover for said case adapted to enclose said tone arm and pick-up device when not in use, and means engaging the other end of said tone arm adapted to hold said pick-up device in an elevated position and cooperate with said cover to firmly hold said tone arm and pick-up device against movement in a. protected position when said cover is in its closed position.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of an apparatus containing case, a sound record driving mechanism mounted within said case, a rotatable tone arm support upon said case, a tone arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon said support in cooperating relation with saidsound record driving mechanism, one end 01' said tone arm being adapted when in operation to swing with said support in a horizontal path over said sound record driving mechanism and be elevated when not in use, a cover for said case adapted to enclose said tone arm, a latching means engaging the other end or said tone arm for holding the swinging end or said tone arm in an elevated position and against movement in its horizontal path, and means carried by said coverengaging the elevated end of said tone arm and cooperating with said latching means to firmly hold said tone arm against movement and in a protected inoperative position when said cover is in its closed position.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the

combination or a carrying case, a sound record driving mechanism mounted within said carryingcase adapted to drive a sound record supporting platen, a tone arm support upon said carrying case, a tone arm mounted for universal movement upon said support having a pick-up device at its end and on one side of said support, an extension upon said tone arm projecting to the other side of said support, means engaging said extension for holding said tone arm and pick-up device in an elevated position, and a cover for 36 said carrying case adapted to engagesaid pick-up extending counterbalancing portion pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon said pedestal,

a sound reproducing pick-up device at the Iree end of said tone arm, a latchingmeans adapted to engage the counterbalancing portion upon said tone arm and hold the free end with said sound reproducing pick-up device in a raised position,

a cover for said carrying case adaptedto' enclose said panel and said -tone arm, and means ed by said cover adapted to engage -the ed sound reproducing pick-up device at the free end of said tone arm and cooperate with said latching means to hold said tone arm against movement when said cover is in its closed position.

5. In'apparatus or the character described, the combinationoia carryingcase,apanel secured horizontally across the upper part of said carrying case, a swivel iorming pedestal mounted upon said tone arm and cooperate with said latchto hold said tone arm againstmovement when said cover is in its closed position.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination or a carrying case. sound reproducing apparatus within said case having a record supporting platen, a tone arm support upon said carrying case, a tone arm mounted intermediate its ends upon said support having a sound reproducing pick-up device at one end adapted to cooperate with a sound record upon said platen and a rearwardly projecting portion extending in an opposite direction, a cover for said many ingcaseadaptedtoenclosesaidtonearmand sound reproducing pick-up device, andmeans engaging the rearwardly projecting portion of said tone arm and cooperating with said cover for holding said one end 01' the tone arm with the sound reproducing pick-up device in an elevated and immovable position when said cover is secured upon said case.

'I.'In apparatus or the character described, the combination or a carrying case having a horizontally disposed top panel, sound reproducing apparatus within said case having a record supporting platen disposed above said panel, a tone arm support upon said panel adjacent said platen, a

tone arm mounted intermediate its ends for universal movement having a portion extending away from said platen and a sound reproducing pick-up device upon mother portion adapted to extend over a sound record upon said platen, a cover for said carrying case adapted to enclose said panel, the tone arm, and said sound repro-' ducing pick-up device, means carried by said case engaging the first mentioned portion oi said tone arm tor holding the other portion or said tone arm and the sound reproducing pick-up device in an elevated position when not in use, and means carried by said cover adapted when said coverissecureduponsaidcase to cooperatewith saidiastmeansandnrmlyholdsaid tonearm with its sound reproducing pick-up device in a protected and immovable position.

'FRANKPRIDIANN. 

